Install the Alfred State Built-In VPN (Windows 11 & MacOS Tahoe)

This guide will show you how to set up and use the Alfred State VPN that utilizes the built-in VPN feature of your MacOS or Windows device. The primary difference between this VPN and the FortiClient VPN is you do not need to install an app to use it. There is no reason to use one over the other besides preference, OR if you have issues with one, trying the other may be a valid work around until you can contact the Help Desk to troubleshoot your preferred VPN. 

1. Click your Start/Windows key in the bottom left of your screen (or on your keyboard)
    
2. Type "VPN Settings" into the start menu 
    
3. Click on the "VPN settings" option
    
4. Click "Add VPN" at the top of the settings page that opened (If you already see a VPN titled ASC VPN or ASC VPN 2, skip to step 11 for connecting)
    
5. In the new popup, type what you like into the "Connection name" field (this will be the name that appears when you connect to it)
    
6. Type vpn.alfredstate.edu into the "Server name or address" field
    
7. Click the drop down for "VPN type" and choose "L2TP/IPsec with pre-shared key"
    
8. Type asc into the "Pre-shared key" field
    
9. Type your username in the username field (everything before the @alfredstate.edu in your e-mail), then enter your password below that (this is so the VPN can automatically log you in)
    
10. Click "Save" in the bottom left
     
11. Click on the VPN you just created
     
12. Click "Advanced Options"
     
13. Click "Edit" next to "More VPN Properties"
     
14. Click "Security" along the top of this new window
     
15. Click the radio button (circle) next to "Use Extensible Authentication Protection (EAP)", it will then be a blue ring with white in the middle
     
16. Double check that "Microsoft: Secured password (EAP-MSCHAP v2)" is now selected, if not, click the dropdown menu and change it
     
17. Click "OK" to confirm the changes
     
18. To connect click on the icon for your network connection, if it is a wired connection it will look like the one below, and for wireless it will show the WiFi bars icon.
     
19. If this is your only or default VPN, you can just click "VPN", if you have multiple, click the arrow pointing the to the right of VPN
     
20. If you click the arrow, now click "Connect" on the ASC VPN
     
21. If you are prompted to log in, enter your Alfred State username and password only (username is everything before the @alfredstate.edu in your e-mail)
     
22. You know you are connected when your network connection icon now has a shield on it
     

1. Click the Apple logo in the top left of your screen
    
2. Click "System Settings" from the dropdown
    
3. Choose networking from the left hand menu
    
4. Click the three dots with the down arrow under "Other Services"
    
5. Hover over "Add VPN Configuration
   
    
6. From the options that appear to the right, select "L2TP over IPSec" 
    
7. In the Display Name field enter whatever name you want to see when you go to connect to it
    
8. Next to server address type vpn.alfredstate.edu
    
9. Next to account name, type asc\username where username is your Alfred State username, (everything before @alfredstate.edu in your e-mail)
    
10.  Enter your current Alfred State password into the password field (NOTE: On MacOS devices when you update your Alfred State password, the VPN will still try the old one, scroll down to the Troubleshooting section for steps to update the password later)
     
11. Leave "Machine authentication" on shared secret, below that, set the shared secret to asc
    
    
12. Click "Create" in the bottom right to finish setting up the VPN
     
13. The VPN can be turned on by turning on its toggle in the system settings under "VPN"
     
14. The VPN will look like this once you are connected

MacOS - "Your name or password was incorrect" - This message indicates your username or password is incorrect, if this is your first attempt double check and retype your login credentials, if it began after a password change, then you need to update your password in the VPN settings. (Return to system settings, go to VPN, click the "i" next to the ASC VPN, and re-enter your new password)

If you want a quick workaround to issues with the built-in VPN setup, you can use the standalone FortiClient VPN by following this guide https://alfredstate.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/277/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=10706

If you are having a different error message, take a screenshot of the error and provide it to the Help Desk at the information below for more direct assistance
 

Need additional information or assistance? Contact the Alfred State Help Desk.

Phone:  (607) 587-HELP (4357)

Email:  helpdesk@alfredstate.edu